The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-09-17

CLEARING HotS make him one of the most courtly and well-cultivated gentlemen in the state.
 When quite young he embarked in n wholesale agricultural establishment as an humble clerk. From that posi- tion he became clerk in the Falls City bank, where he received valuable information and training in the bank ing business, of which he is now one of the brightest ornaments. Two months after the organization of the Kentucky National bank, he received the appointment to one of the minor clerkships, and at once applied himself to the study of finance, banking and arose step by step, at each advance gaining the confidence of all connected with this great bank, until he has filled every position in the bank, in- cluding that of cashier, and president, which latter office he now occupies, He is n director in the Louisville. Evansville X St. Louis railroad, di- rector in the Louisville, New Albany l x Chicago railroad, and is director in some eight or ten other important ] corporations.
 He is a man of affairs and business, and brings to bear upon the details of ! his every transaction sound common sense, and a complete knowledge of 1 the strength and frailtics of humanity. ! He is a study, and presents to the eve of finance and commerce Il unique and perfect figure. He is conserva- tive, but at the same time built upon the broad gauge plan. It is said by those who know him best that he is never truly deceived by anybody. His rcticence is something akin to that of General Grant, but when he wants to speak he speaks precisely what he : wishes to say, -no-Inore- and less. and when he wants to write he writes concisely, luminously and well. He is now the treasurer and chief director ill the Commonwealth Land and Lumber company, which, under his financial guide, has become one of the most successful companies in the state of Kentucky. All of the stock in the company amounts to only S500,000, yet its assets are really worth $5 .O00,- 900, and will bring that sum inside of ten years. The present value of its assets are undoubtedly as much as S1 100000. The prospective value ot it's vast landed, camel coal, coke and iron estates, depends alone upon the completion of two railroads now in progress of construction, one by the 1 Louisville & Nashville railroad, called the Cumberland Valley railroad, and the other by the Louisville, Cincin- nati < Virginia Railroad company. These two roads will evidently cause the building of other branches and connections throughout the territory where the lands of the Commonwealth Land and Lumber company arc situ- ated. It is believed by the friends of Colonel Fetter that he and his coad- tutors in the organization and estab- lishment of that company have accomplished in that direction suc- cess that will compare fayorably with any other in this country. If Colonel Fetter continues in success for the next ten years as he has done in the past, there is hardly any estimate that can bc placed upon his power and wealth in the city of Louisville and state of Kentucky Such a man will break all prophecies and destroy All calculations of all critics, and in the end will be At the head of his guild.
 THE COMMONWEALTH LAND AND LUN- BER COMPANY
 was organized under the laws of the state and every privilege known to the law of Kentucky was secured for 1 it. Colonel James M. Fetter, presi- dent of the Kentucky National Bank, is director and treasurer of the com pany; he is also large stockholder. Major W. H. Coen, general manager of the large firm of B. F. Avery < Sons, manufacturers of blows and other implements, is the president of the company. The gentleman named and Thomas F. Hargis, Colonel Trs- bue and Thomas G. Stuart were and